Not Quite This Fast
Yon could not bring himself to lift his head.
In the end, his father had come. And this was not merely a parent visiting the school; the lord of House Riversong himself had arrived at the academy. He had come to clean up the catastrophic mess made by his son and heir.
"I am so thoroughly ashamed that I have no words to offer, Professor," Albert Riversong said, his voice heavy with contrition.
Nothing in the world was harder for a father than bowing his head to someone else before his own child. It was an agonizing sight for those looking on, and excruciating for those involved.
"It is my failure for not raising my son properly. Please, I beg of you to find it in your heart to forgive him."
"My Lord, we also feel a deep sense of responsibility," Elcanto replied, unable to muster any coldness before a family head who had come in person to plead so earnestly. "Fortunately, the worst did not come to pass..."
The saving grace was that the entire affair had been instigated by a corrupt professor. That fact alone granted considerable grounds for leniency regarding Yon's punishment.
"I have heard that your house is facing difficult circumstances, Lord Riversong. Under such conditions, we can only express our gratitude that you made the journey here."
"No. That is entirely separate from our family's fortunes. Today, I have come before you strictly as a father." Albert's voice turned somber. "I will personally see to my son's discipline. However... even if it kills him, he intends to withdraw from the academy."
Yon was determined to leave Edelbein Academy. After committing such an act, he had no confidence that he could endure the remainder of his years until graduation. The stares and whispers would be suffocating, but far worse was the utter disgust he felt toward himself.
Elcanto had already tried to persuade him.
"Student Yon, you still have a bright future ahead of you. If you drop out like this, you will come to regret it later."
"I am sorry, Professor. I just... I don't have the confidence."
"Good grief..." Elcanto sighed, feeling genuine pity.
He understood the sentiment, and Yon's choice was surprisingly rational. He had not merely picked a fight with the scion of a Great Family; he had attempted to poison him. How could anyone endure the scathing glares and ostracism that would follow? Though Yon had met with Deleve to apologize, the world was never so gentle that a simple apology could erase such a deed.
Thankfully, Deleve doesn't seem to care anymore, but still...
It was not a problem that ended merely because the two parties had settled it between themselves. It was truly a shame. Yon had worked so hard to gain admission, only to throw everything away in a single moment of madness. If one were to be generous, one could argue that he had been blinded by money because his house was on the brink of ruin, but still...
"For now, I will speak with Yon a bit more before giving my final answer," Albert said. "A withdrawal requires my signature and seal in any case."
"Yes, please do, Lord Riversong. Ah, and speaking of which, he should be arriving right about now..."
No sooner had the words left Elcanto's mouth than a knock sounded at the door.
"Professor, it's Tyron. I've brought Instructor Xiel."
"Ah, please come in."
Xiel stepped into the office, his expression completely blank.
"Professor, I was told you were looking for me."
"Yes. The lord of House Riversong asked to see you, Instructor Xiel. Why don't you two exchange greetings first?"
Albert Riversong was the first to extend a hand.
"I am Albert Riversong, head of the Riversong family."
"I am Xiel Steelheart, elective instructor at the academy."
After a brief, polite handshake, the two sat across from each other at the table. Before Tyron could even finish setting down the teacups, Albert spoke up.
"First, I wished to express my deepest gratitude, Instructor." Albert bowed his head low. "I have heard the entire story. Thanks to your intervention that day, my son was prevented from crossing a line from which there is no return, even if it had to be done by force."
Xiel pondered for a moment.
How am I supposed to answer in a situation like this?
It was the first time he had ever received such a formal, aristocratic expression of gratitude. He had heard thank-yous from his students, of course, but he had always brushed those aside with a casual phrase.
Well, I suppose it's only natural he'd feel that way, Albert thought, sighing inward when Xiel did not immediately respond. I cannot even begin to imagine how much trouble this must have caused him.
In Albert's view, the incident must have put Xiel in an awkward position. Though he wasn't directly involved, getting entangled in such an ugly matter was bound to be a headache. Furthermore, he was merely an elective instructor, not a full professor. His lack of rank must have made navigating the politics even more uncomfortable.
And so, Albert produced what he had prepared in advance.
"This is a small token of my appreciation."
A petite wooden box was placed gently upon the table. Nestled inside was a jewel.
"It is modest, but please accept it as a symbol of our gratitude."
Xiel stared intently at the box, then asked, "What is inside?"
"An heirloom of our house."
Every person in the room except Xiel and Albert froze in shock.
"Lord Riversong, surely a family heirloom is too much..." Elcanto sputtered.
Yon, flustered and panicked, reached out to grab his father's sleeve. "F-Father!"
"Yon. Consider what is truly important."
"..."
Click.
When the lid opened, an ornate brooch was revealed. It was exquisite, radiating the dignified patina of ancient craftsmanship.
"You may have heard, but our family currently stands on the verge of bankruptcy," Albert said quietly. "Even so, when it comes to matters regarding my child, I will spare nothing as a father. Therefore, I offer you the single most valuable possession our family holds. It contains no extraordinary enchantments, but it has been passed down through our bloodline for over three hundred years. Thank you, Instructor, for saving my son."
Xiel stared blankly at the brooch.
Professor Elcanto was sweating bullets. Refuse it, Instructor Xiel!
Albert appeared entirely sincere, but one could not simply accept an object of that magnitude. It was the living history of an aristocratic lineage! Who in their right mind handed over such a treasure? Granted, it showed tremendous paternal resolve and moral character, but still...
"Please, Instructor, accept it," Albert urged. "Had you not stopped him... Yon would have lived the rest of his days utterly devoid of shame."
Yon hung his head until his chin pressed against his chest. Before them stood not a noble lord, but a desperate father.
Please, I beg of you, accept it, Albert repeated silently in his heart.
It was then that Xiel opened his mouth to deliver words no one could have anticipated.
"According to academy regulations, faculty members are prohibited from accepting gifts or compensation exceeding the value of fifty cel from students or their parents under any circumstances."
Xiel pushed the box firmly back toward Albert.
"I must decline."
Now it was Albert's turn to be utterly dumbfounded.
"B-But... please, take it. Only then will my conscience find peace."
"The brooch has a gemstone embedded in it," Xiel stated flatly. "And gemstones generally exceed fifty cel in value, do they not?"
"They... certainly do."
Fifty cel? It would easily fetch more than fifty thousand cel on the open market, given its historical significance.
"Then I cannot accept it."
"..."
"However, if you feel you must provide compensation..."
At those words, everyone's ears perked up.
"Fifty chicken skewers would be acceptable."
"...Pardon?"
"Chicken skewers cost one cel each."
Albert's mind raced, desperately attempting to decipher the hidden meaning behind the instructor's words. After a moment of furious contemplation, he reached a conclusion.
A masterfully refined rejection.
There was no other explanation for such an answer. What an extraordinary character this man possesses.
It was an item that would tempt almost anyone. Albert knew well the kind of people who typically applied for elective instructor positions at the academy: mostly third sons of minor nobility or commoners without powerful backing. Yet here this man stood, staring at an irreplaceable three-hundred-year-old heirloom, and rejected it without a flicker of hesitation.
With an instructor like this... it would do Yon so much good to remain here.
Albert made one final attempt. "I would urge you once more to reconsider, Instructor."
"I will not accept it."
Conceding defeat, Albert let out a soft sigh, though he felt no offense whatsoever.
"Very well. Then please accept my gratitude alone."
The small jewelry box disappeared back into Albert's coat.
Meanwhile, Xiel felt a pang of genuine regret. Looks like he has no intention of giving me the chicken skewers. What a shame. If he had offered fifty skewers, I really would have taken them. That would have been exactly fifty cel.
"Once again, thank you, Instructor," Albert continued, turning toward his son. "Of course, I still have to do some more convincing with Yon..."
"You mean Student Yon Riversong?" Xiel turned his gaze to the boy, whose head was still lowered.
"Ah, yes. He keeps insisting on dropping out."
"Dropping out... Is that part of the disciplinary action for this incident, Professor Elcanto Paredes?"
"Oh, heavens no, Instructor Xiel," Elcanto answered quickly. "Now that it has been proven Dakeus Altman orchestrated the whole thing, there is ample cause for leniency. The punishment will be kept within a reasonable disciplinary framework. It is simply that the student himself wishes to withdraw..."
Xiel fell into thought for a moment. Then, looking directly at Yon, he spoke.
"Student Yon Riversong."
"Yes... Instructor Xiel."
"Why are you dropping out?"
"Because... I am ashamed."
Xiel tilted his head slightly. "If you are ashamed, shouldn't you simply act in a way that is not shameful?"
"B-But I have already committed a shameful act..."
"You have received your punishment for that. Which means the price has been paid. From now on, all you must do is conduct yourself without shame."
"Still..."
"Compare what you stand to gain by dropping out against what you stand to gain by remaining here, Student Yon Riversong." Xiel's calm voice struck a chord deep within the boy's heart. "Though you fall short of Student Deleve Kundel, the talent for swordsmanship you displayed during the selection matches is more than sufficient. Therefore, you should reconsider."
Yon's breath caught in his throat.
Swordsmanship.
The very reason he had entered the Sword School in the first place.
What he had just heard was neither clumsy comfort nor superficial persuasion. It was a dry, objective appraisal from someone who knew: an acknowledgment of his talent with the blade.
"A-Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Yon sat in a daze. He had not been completely forgiven. He had apologized, and Deleve had said he wouldn't hold a grudge, but did that truly wipe the slate clean? If he could, he wanted to go to Deleve and apologize a dozen more times, to do whatever it took to atone for his sin. Truly, with all his heart.
And to do that...
He had to stay at the academy. Both to offer a genuine, lifelong atonement, and for the sake of the swordsmanship Xiel had spoken of.
"Professor, are we finished here?" Xiel asked, breaking the silence.
"Ah, er, yes. That should be all. Do you have other plans?"
"I am going to the library."
"The... library. Ah, I see. You enjoy reading books."
"Yes. Though recently, I have also developed an interest in making them."
Making books? Elcanto blinked. But that wasn't the point right now—Xiel was casually announcing his departure in front of an esteemed guest.
"Yes, ahem. Understood. You may go ahead."
"Very well. Lord Riversong, I shall take my leave."
Albert and Yon stood up with bewildered expressions to see Xiel off.
"Please take care, Instructor Xiel."
"Take care, Instructor."
Click.
Once the door shut, Albert let out a hearty chuckle.
"Ha ha ha. To think such an instructor still exists."
"Ha... haha, quite so, isn't he?" Elcanto sipped his tea, groaning internally. The man always pulls something like this right when things are going smoothly.
"It seems having my son drop out is out of the question after all," Albert announced firmly.
"Pardon?"
"If he learns under a teacher like that, Yon will have much to absorb." Albert turned to his son. "Wouldn't you agree, Yon?"
"..."
"Reflect deeply on what your instructor said. As he pointed out, you have talent. And dropping out now is simply running away. If you wish to redeem yourself, redeem yourself right here."
Yon bowed his head, his shoulders trembling slightly before he nodded. "...Yes, Father."
"Good. A wise decision."
The decisive factor, of course, had been Xiel's words. If he fled now, that would be the end of it; he would spend the rest of his life running. He would forever carry the stigma of an academy dropout, and his house's relationship with the Kundel family would remain broken. He had to stand and face it right here.
"Well then, Professor, we shall take our leave as well. Please watch over my deficient son and guide him strictly."
"Of course, Lord Riversong. Have a safe journey home. Ah, and regarding the disciplinary action, it will likely be finalized as a suspension and community service."
A suspension. Albert nodded with a grim expression.
"We are prepared for whatever comes. Yon, whatever penance is demanded of you, see it through to the end. Diligently."
"Yes, Father. I will."
Suspension was a severe penalty. Depending on its duration, it could lead to being held back a year, and the record would follow him like a shadow even after graduation. Yet Yon accepted it with humility.
"Compared to what I did, it is a light punishment, Professor. As my father said, I will carry out my penalty with complete sincerity."
Once the father and son departed, Elcanto collapsed back into his chair with a heavy sigh.
"Whew."
With that, the matter was settled. He had worried incessantly after sending the anonymous tip, but everything had turned out exactly as he hoped.
Dakeus is gone, which means that vacant post is...
If things went well, Elcanto might become the supervisor of the second-year class faster than anyone in academy history. Currently, the third-year supervising professor was handling it as an interim duty, but that arrangement couldn't last forever.
Now all I need to do is wrap up the Exchange Event smoothly.
The atmosphere inside the Sword School was somewhat turbulent right now, but that was all the more reason everyone would pour their attention into the Exchange Event. And speaking of which...
Wait. If Instructor Xiel plays his cards right...
Could an opportunity open up for Xiel as well? The department head had already taken quite a shine to him!
"Hmm."
A glorious picture began to form in Elcanto's mind.
"Later on, I'll be in charge of the second years... and the first years will be..."
If that happened, Xiel would officially become a junior professor under him.
And I'll be the direct senior colleague to a professor I can manage however I like!
A brilliant future! A magnificent daydream!
Elcanto began to grin from ear to ear.
That future, in fact, arrived even sooner than expected.
"Ah, Professor. Here is an official dispatch from the department head," Tyron said, handing over an envelope.
Elcanto tore it open, his eyes widening before he nearly leapt out of his seat in triumph.
"Yes! I knew it!"
He had officially been appointed as the new supervising professor for the second years! But then...
"Wait, what?"
Curious about what would happen to the first-year class, he scanned the rest of the document, only to freeze at an astonishing line.
"First-Year Supervisor for the Exchange Event... Xiel Steelheart?"
His face instantly twisted in disbelief.
It was an absurd decision. Putting a mere elective instructor in charge of an entire class for the prestigious Exchange Event?
What on earth is the department head thinking?!
Just moments ago, Elcanto had been daydreaming fondly about taking Xiel under his wing. But now...
I didn't want it to happen this fast...
A thick cloud of wariness began to rise within his chest once more.